EDITOR:
What about Ukraine? Last week Ukrainians honored their military on Ukraine Armed Forces Day with pronouncements of “Slava Ukraini” and “Heroyam Slava:” “Glory to Ukraine” and “Glory to Her Heroes.”
News about the Russian war on Ukraine had pretty much disappeared until now. It’s time to consider more financial aid from the United States to support the Ukrainian’s efforts to save their country. And, once again some of our representatives in Washington are balking.
Russians invaded their country, raping women and killing children. They bombed homes, shops, schools and hospitals. An estimated 2-300,000 children have been kidnapped from their homes and schools. They were deported to live with Russian, Polish and Belarusian families where they will be indoctrinated to Russian ways and loyalty. Their parents don’t know where they are or if they are dead or alive.
Ukrainians will tell you they have been raised to defend their country. That is what they do. This is their reality. Young women become soldiers or civilian fighters in the streets.
There have been 10,000 to 13,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed by Russians since the war began. This does not include the great numbers of civilians who took up arms the very day Russia invaded. They are bakers and farmers and teachers determined to protect their country and their freedom. Many don’t know where their families are and their families don’t know what has become of them. They took up whatever arms they had, often outnumbered and outgunned by Russian soldiers. They are still making Molotov cocktails, crudely fashioned, homemade fire bombs. They have created a ‘cottage industry’ of building drones to support their military.
As of Sept. 21, 2023, the United States has allocated $113 billion for Ukraine to win this war. Aid also included $500 million to support Ukrainian refugees who fled to neighboring countries willing to take them in. Almost 90% of this aid money actually stayed right here in the US to build new weapons for our defense while we send the old weapons and equipment to Kyiv. Missouri benefitted from this aid as one of the states where these defense contracts have been delivered. Missouri is also the state represented by Sen. Josh Hawley, who doesn’t want any more money spent on Ukraine.
If Ukraine falls to an emboldened Russia, what country is next? A NATO ally whom we are committed to defend with not only our funds but the lives of our soldiers? Our aid money is drying up and will be gone by the end of the year. So in November the Pentagon began slowing the pace and amounts of contracts to make it last. And now, in the last days of 2023, our Congress is quarreling about the value of continued support to the Ukrainian people who took on the Russian army, willing to die for their country. Would Americans have the same unity and resolve? And can we do the right thing for Ukraine?
–LeeAnn Karbaumer
Platte City
